HCMC unveils 3,400-ton nipa palm-shaped pedestrian bridge over Saigon River

A giant 3,400-ton steel arch inspired by the nipa palm leaf is taking shape for a new pedestrian bridge over the Saigon River in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Workers are assembling the steel arch of the bridge that will span the Saigon River at the Bach Dang Wharf across Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street. The main arch, measuring more than 187 meters long and weighing about 3,400 tons, is being fabricated from dozens of steel segments before being transported for installation over the river in late August. The arch is being assembled on a dedicated platform at the shipyard of Dai Dung Shipbuilding JSC in Dong Xuyen Industrial Park in the city's Rach Dua Ward, which is formerly a part of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province. The pedestrian bridge, to be built between Ba Son Bridge and the Saigon River Tunnel, will stretch 720 meters in length and range from 6 to 11 m in width, with a clearance of 10 m. The nearly VND1 trillion (US$38 million) project is being funded by Nutifood Nutrition Food JSC. The bridge arch is being assembled at a yard beside Ganh Rai Bay. Once completed, the 3,400-ton structure will be transported by specialized vehicles onto a 14,000-ton barge before being shipped to downtown HCMC for installation in late August. The bridge is expected to be completed in time for Vietnam's National Day on Sept. 2. Once finished, it will connect the two banks of the Saigon River while creating a new public space and an architectural landmark in the heart of HCMC. The location of the pedestrian bridge. Graphics by Hoang Khanh, Minh Nga